Photo: Collected
The drivers of CNG-run autorickshaws have suspended their demonstrations and lifted the blockades on Dhaka streets after the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) withdrew its decision to reinforce meter usage and fines or jail terms for autorickshaw drivers who charge more than the fare shown on the meter.
Aminul Islam, joint member secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan Autorickshaw Drivers' Unity Council, today (16 February), "Since the authority has cancelled the order, our protest on the roads has been suspended."However, we will continue to discuss our demands, including fare hike, with the government."
Earlier this morning, BRTA cancelled its 10 February order that sought to reenforce Tk50,000 fines or up to six months jail terms for CNG-run autorickshaw drivers who charge more than the fare shown on the meter.
The cancellation order came via a letter signed by BRTA Director (Engineering) Shitangshu Shekhor Biswas, sent to the authorities concerned including Bangladesh Police. Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) via a press release this morning also acknowledged receiving the cancellation order after BRTA issued it.
The recent BRTA directive issued for four-stroke three-wheeler vehicles has been cancelled and all concerned have been informed about this development, it said. DMP also requested the drivers to lift the blockade and clear the roads to allow vehicular movement, read the release signed by DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Muhammad Talebur Rahman.
Autorickshaw drivers blocked several roads around Dhaka city this morning, demanding the withdrawal of the BRTA decision. The drivers were seen using their vehicles to block both sides of the road in Agargaon's Taltola area this morning (16 February), causing a huge traffic jam.
Apart from asking BRTA to withdraw its request to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to enforce the decision, the drivers also demanded increasing the base fare on the meter. The drivers were seen sitting and lying down on the streets beside their vehicles, chanting slogans.
Similar blockades were seen on roads in several areas, including Hatirjheel. Those protesting on the streets were seen stopping autorickshaws that were not participating in the demonstrations and forcing the drivers to join the blockade.
Commuters suffering due to a lack of autorickshaws were seen resorting to travelling on rickshaws. Currently, the government-set minimum fare for autorickshaws is Tk40 for the first two kilometres, and after that, the fare is Tk12 per km. Also, the waiting charge is set at Tk2 per minute.
Passengers have complained that in Dhaka's autorickshaws, it is impossible to travel a short distance for less than Tk150. CNG autorickshaw owners are also collecting additional deposits daily. As per government policy, the daily deposit for owners is currently set at Tk900.
However, drivers claim that owners collect deposits from them twice a day, in the morning and evening, often collecting between Tk1,200 to Tk2,000 in some cases. This forces the drivers to charge passengers more, they claimed, to come up with the money for daily deposits.
A BRTA official, on condition of anonymity, recently told The Business Standard that BRTA decided to reenforce the punishments, provisions for which already exist in the current law, as they received many complaints of overcharging in recent times.
Autorickshaw drivers have been blocking the roads throughout the last few days since 11 February when the government gave the directive to enforce meter usage and the provision of fine or imprisonment if anyone was found overcharging.
The drivers will be fined a maximum Tk50,000 or face imprisonment for up to six months for the offence, according to the BRTA decision. A letter signed by BRTA Director (Engineering) Shitangshu Shekhor Biswas was sent to the DMP commissioner on 10 February, which stated that in cases where the drivers charge more than the meter fare, a case will be filed against them in accordance with the BRTA directives.
Messenger/JRTarek
